Guide to the Oscar Wegelin papers, 1899-1966


John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2016

Collection Overview

Title: Oscar Wegelin papers
Date range: 1899-1966
Creator: Wegelin, Oscar, 1876-1970
Extent: 2.75 Linear feet
Abstract: Oscar Wegelin, bookseller and author, was one of the leading bibliographers in the field of early American writings. The Oscar Wegelin papers (1899-1966) contain correspondence with important scholars, litterateurs, and bibliographers. In addition, the papers contain poems, plays, and prose written by Wegelin.
Language of materials: English
Repository: John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number: Ms.78.13

Scope & content

The correspondence to Wegelin (circa 150 items) consists of letters from such scholars, littérateurs, and bibliographers as Robert F. Roden, A. Furman, Alfred Goldsmith, Charles F. Heartman, Harry Lyman Koopman, and others. There is much correspondence with institutions concerning the purchase of books from Wegelin's bookshop. A number of letters discuss the early American poetry and plays, as well as such writers as W.G. Simms, Samuel Miller Hageman, Jupiter Hammon, and others. There is also some discussion of Lincolniana. The Mabbott correspondence in general covers the period from 1900 to 1945, though some of it is dated after that time.

Wegelin's own correspondence (circa 100 items) extends from 1900 to 1966 and deals largely with routine business matters concerning the book trade. There is some correspondence following 1910 discussing a possible position in the John Carter Brown Library for Wegelin. Other letters discuss donations by Wegelin to Brown University.

Wegelin's prose manuscripts (25 items) include some apparently unpublished bibliographical essays; also included is a "Foreword" by Wegelin to A Letter of a '49er, the entire book having been copied by Mrs. Adele Wegelin.

Poetry manuscripts (circa 50 items) include a number of poems dedicated to Wegelin's friends and associates, e.g., Arthur B. Carlson, Elizabeth J. Wendell, Mendoza's Book Store, Susan E. Lyman, Vincent Portonova, and others.

Wegelin's plays (circa 60 items) are apparently unpublished, though some may have seen public performance. Almost all are short humorous skits or dialogues; some are in verse. Included with the plays are song lyrics by Wegelin.

In the collection are receipts (circa 80 items) which mainly record the sale of some of Wegelin's papers to Brown University. Some receipts record book sales from Wegelin's bookshop.

A few letters (5 items) are neither to or from Wegelin but discuss him. Of particular note is correspondence from H. L. Koopman to W. H .P. Faunce about Wegelin's possible position as a librarian at the John Carter Brown Library.

Printed materials (circa 50 items) include programs of short plays in which Wegelin is credited as actor or playwright. Most are programs from a theater group called the Nutmeg Club. There are a number of publications by Wegelin, including obituaries by him published in various book journals, clippings of his printed poetry, and articles on bibliographical matters. There are a few reviews of Wegelin's books, including those of Early American Plays 1714-1830 and the Simms bibliography. Also in the collection are miscellaneous prints, articles, and photostats of editions of the works of early American writers.

Access Points

Subject Names Subject Topics Occupations Document Types Subject Topics

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in four series:

  • Series 1. Correspondence
  • Series 2. Manuscript material by Oscar Wegelin
  • Series 3. Miscellaneous manuscript material
  • Series 4. Printed material

The arrangement of the collection begins with correspondence to and from Wegelin, arranged alphabetically by the correspondent. In those instances where letters were written by institutions about routine book business, the letters have been filed under the name of the institution, e.g., American Antiquarian Society. All correspondence, including Wegelin's, is arranged chronologically within the alphabetical sequence.

Bibliographical notes by Wegelin follow arranged alphabetically by the title of the work being catalogued. Similarly, manuscripts of prose, poetry and plays by Wegelin are arranged alphabetically by title and, where no title exists, by the first line. Miscellaneous unidentified notes by Wegelin and others follow.

Receipts for book orders and for purchase of manuscripts are organized by date of receipt. The one folder of letters to or from but concerning Wegelin follows.

As for printed matter, the programs for plays in which Wegelin had a role are filed alphabetically by the organization staging the play, e.g., the Nutmeg Club. There follows printed matter written by Wegelin which is grouped under the categories of orbituaries, articles, concludes with printed matter not directly concerning Wegelin, and includes articles, prints, photostats, and the like.

Biographical note

Oscar Wegelin, bookseller and author, was one of the leading bibliographers in the field of early American writings. His papers consist of about 500 items, and include correspondence to and from Wegelin; his own fiction, including manuscripts of articles, poetry, and plays; bibliographical notes; receipts for material purchased from or by Wegelin; and various printed items including publications by Wegelin, play programs, and reviews of Wegelin's books.

Approximately half the collection is correspondence, which chiefly discusses routine matters relating to Wegelin's bookshop. Several letters discuss bibliographical details of early American poetry and plays.

As for manuscript material written by Wegelin, the collection includes a few of his articles on bibliography, one tale of fiction, many poems, and several unpublished plays and skits. The bibliographic notes consist of hand-written copies, mostly in Wegelin's hand, of entries in his bibliographies.

1876 Sep 29

Born in New York City

1890

Begins working in bookshop with John E. Anderson, Jr.

1895

Begins compilation of his bibliography of early American plays

1899

First published verse: Lyrics to White Winged Columbia Song

1900

Publishes Early American Plays 1714-1830

1901

Begins his own bookselling business in Stamford, Connecticut; soon moves to New York city

1902

Publishes Early American Fiction 1774-1830

1903

Publishes Early American Poetry

1905

Revised edition of Early American Plays

1906

Publishes bibliography of William Gilmore Simms

1907

Publishes Early American Poetry 1800-1820

1908

First volume of verse: When Conscience Sleeps and Other Poems

1911

Publishes Books Relating to the History of Georgia in the Library of Wymberley Jones De Renne

1913

Revised edition of Early American Fiction 1774-1830

1915

Publishes Jupiter Hammon, American Negro Poet

1916

Publishes bibliography of William Dunlap

1917

Publishes Micah Hawkins and the Saw-Mill

1923

The Fanatic's Prayer and Other Verse

1929

Third edition of Early American Fiction 1774-1830

1930

Second edition of Early American Poetry

1938-1954

Bibliographer of the New York Historical Society

1941

Second edition of the Simms (1906) bibliography

1953

Publishes bibliography of Samuel Woodworth

1970

Dies


Access & Use

Access to the collection: There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials: Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation: Oscar Wegelin papers, Ms. 78.13, Brown University Library.
Contact information: John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: The Oscar Wegelin papers were compiled piecemeal either through purchase from Wegelin himself (compare receipts) or through the compilation by a staff member of the Brown University Library of correspondence found within the University.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Finding aid prepared by S.T. Joshi and Marc A. Michaud, Student Interns, under the direction of Clifton H. Jones, Manuscripts Curator, May 1978.
Encoding: This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2016-07-28
Descriptive rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Other information:

Inventory


Series 1. Correspondence
2.0 box(es)

Box 2, Folder 20

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 1 Abbatt, William
Contents Note: Bibliographic queries.

1930 Feb 22
Box 1, Folder 1 Allen, Lois
Contents Note: Queries about Androboros.

1917 Nov 14
Box 1, Folder 1 American Antiquarian Society
3.0 letters

Contents Note: Bibliographic information and request for gifts.

1916 Dec 2-1948 Dec 13
Box 1, Folder 1 Anderson, Jonathan
Contents Note: Regarding possible publishers for Wegelin's bibliography

1899 Aug 31
Box 1, Folder 2 Andrews, Loring
Contents Note: Purchase of prints.

1901 Apr 27
Box 1, Folder 2 Armstrong, A.J.
Contents Note: Bibliographic queries about Androboros

1918 Apr 13
Box 1, Folder 2 Atkinson, Fred W.
2.0 letters

Contents Note: Bibliographic information on American plays.

1917 Dec 11-1929 Jan 7
Box 1, Folder 3 Batdorf, Franklin P.
1952 Jan 28
Box 1, Folder 3 Bennett, Whitman
1951 Aug 17
Box 1, Folder 3 Blanck, Jacob
1951 Oct 25
Box 1, Folder 3 Blanck, Jacob
1951 Nov 30
Box 1, Folder 3 Blanck, Jacob
1951 Dec 4
Box 1, Folder 3 Blanck, Jacob
1952 Jan 15
Box 1, Folder 3 Blanck, Jacob
Contents Note: Query on Tecumseh, by W.H.Hosmer.

1961 Sep 18
Box 1, Folder 3 Briggs, Morris H.
Contents Note: Purchases of items.

1942 Feb 16
Box 1, Folder 3 Bryan, T.S
Contents Note: Regarding inability to supply rare volume

1906 Mar 5
Box 1, Folder 4 Chicago Public Library ( Henry E. Legler )
Contents Note: Regarding bibliographic discovery.

1916 Aug 3
Box 1, Folder 4 Clap, Percy E.
Contents Note: Requests information about Robert F. Roden.

1945 May 15
Box 1, Folder 4 Connecticut Historical Society.
1916 Jan 3
Box 1, Folder 4 Cromwell, J. W.
Contents Note: Acknowledges gift of Wegelin.

1915 Dec 29
Box 1, Folder 4 Courtenay, William
2.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding purchase of books from Wegelin.

1906 Feb 2- 19
Box 1, Folder 5 Damon, S. Foster
1931 Aug 10
Box 1, Folder 5 De Vinne, Theodore L.
1900 Mar 29
Box 1, Folder 5 Dodd, Mead and Company
Contents Note: Regarding Wegelin's own published works; routine book business.

1907 Jul 2
Box 1, Folder 6 Ford, Paul Leiceister
1901 Oct 16
Box 1, Folder 6 Furman, Alfred A.
2.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding forthcoming plays; religion; routine book business.

1913 May 14 - 1917 Dec 9
Box 1, Folder 7 Goldsmith, Alfred
8.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding bibliographic queries; routine book business. Includes a poem by Goldsmith, "Ode to the Screech Owl."

1941 Jun 22 - 1947 Mar 20
Box 1, Folder 7 Goodspeed's Book Shop
1952 Jan 18
Box 1, Folder 8 Griswold , Daniel P.
1903 Mar 12
Box 1, Folder 8 Harper, Lothrop C.
1932 Nov 19
Box 1, Folder 8 Harvard College
2.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding Routine book business; bibliographic queries; an article in Publishers' Weekly

1909 Jun 28 - 1920 Oct 7
Box 1, Folder 9 Heartman, Charles F.
2.0 letters

1940 Sep 23 - 1953 Apr 21
Box 1, Folder 9 Heartman, Martha E.
4.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding Printing matters; proofs of Wegelin's bibliography; Richard Pickersgill; the Heartman estate

1953 Sep 11 - 1955 Jul 16
Box 1, Folder 9 Hemphill, John M.
1953 Nov 9
Box 1, Folder 10 Hibert, R.
1919 Apr 25
Box 1, Folder 10 Hill, Frank P.
1932 May 3
Box 1, Folder 10 Historical Commission of South Carolina
Contents Note: Regarding Routine book business; bibliographic matters

1943 Nov 29
Box 1, Folder 11 Hundley, W. S.
9.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding Routine book business; Samuel Miller Hageman.

1949 May 18 - 1950 Aug 18
Box 1, Folder 11 Hutchinson, Elmer T.
1952 Jan 6
Box 1, Folder 11 Hutchinson, Elmer T.
1952 Jan 16
Box 1, Folder 11 Hutchinson, Elmer T.
1952 Jan 21
Box 1, Folder 11 Hutchinson, Elmer T.
1952 Feb 23
Box 1, Folder 11 Hutchinson, Elmer T.
1952 Feb 27
Box 1, Folder 11 Hutchinson, Elmer T.
1952 Dec 12
Box 1, Folder 11 Hutchinson, Elmer T.
1953 Feb 24
Box 1, Folder 11 Hutchinson, Elmer T.
1953 Mar 5
Box 1, Folder 11 Hutchinson, Elmer T.
1953 Mar 9
Box 1, Folder 11 Hutchinson, Elmer T.
1953 Apr 10
Box 1, Folder 12 Henry E. Huntington Library
1932 Dec 14
Box 1, Folder 12 Illinois State Historical Library
1942 Jul 22
Box 1, Folder 12 Jewish Theological Seminary
1925 Sep 4
Box 1, Folder 12 Jonah David
1965 Jul 14
Box 1, Folder 12 Koopman, H. L
3.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding The Simms bibliography; Lincolniana; Wegelin manuscripts; routine book business; bibliographical information.

1906 Feb 1 - 1923 May 19
Box 1, Folder 13 Lanemon, Thomas A.
1948 Dec 6
Box 1, Folder 13 Literary Collector Press
1904 Dec 28 - 1905 Mar 31
Box 1, Folder 13 Loche, Lillie D.
1904 Mar 3
Box 1, Folder 13 Locke, Robinson
1904 May 12
Box 1, Folder 13 Lowens, Irving
Contents Note: Regarding Bibliographical queries; proofs of Wegelin's books; musical Americana.

1960 Jan 5
Box 1, Folder 14 Mabbot, T. O.
5.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding Poe bibliography; "negro entertainment programs"; routine book business.

1938 Dec 3 - 1940 Jan 31
Box 1, Folder 15 Mabbot, T. O.
5.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding Poe bibliography; Tamerlane; routine book business.

1940 Mar 24 - 1940 Nov 22
Box 1, Folder 16 Mabbot, T. O.
5.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding Poe bibliograpy; Tamerlane; routine book business.

1940 Dec 9 - 1941 Sep
Box 1, Folder 17 Mabbot, T. O.
5.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding Poe bibliography; routine book business.

1941 Sep - 1941 Oct 18
Box 1, Folder 18 Mabbot, T. O.
5.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding E.A. Poe ( bibliography and forgeries ); routine book business.

1941 Nov 27 - 1943 Jul 30
Box 1, Folder 19 Mabbot, T. O.
5.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding Poe; professorships; routine book business.

1943 Aug 19 - 1946 Sep 17
Box 1, Folder 20 Mabbot, T. O.
4.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding Poe; retirement; Mabbott's fear of crossing busy streets; routine book business.

1951 Oct 11 - 1965 May 10
Box 1, Folder 21 Mcgee, J. B.
1915 Jun 25
Box 1, Folder 21 Massachusetts Historical Society
1904 Mar 2
Box 1, Folder 21 Mendoza, Isaac
1944 Oct 10
Box 1, Folder 21 Moravian Music Foundation
Contents Note: Regarding W. G. Simms; bibliographic queries; routine book business; on poem by Wegelin.

1961 Jan 9
Box 1, Folder 22 New England Historic Genealogical Society
1916 Feb 18
Box 1, Folder 22 New England Telephone and Telegraph Company
1917 April 28
Box 1, Folder 22 New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
1916 Feb 15
Box 1, Folder 22 New York Historical Society
2.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding Routine book business; Charles F. Heartman; New Hampshire history; bibliographic notes.

1915 Sep 4 - 1915 Dec 22
Box 1, Folder 23 New York Public Library
2.0 letters

1916 Feb 23 - 1933 Feb 8, 1952 Jan 16
Box 1, Folder 23 New York Times
1904 Oct 7
Box 1, Folder 23 New York University
Contents Note: Regarding book business, bibliographic queries.

1917 Jan 5
Box 1, Folder 24 Pallsits, Victor H.
1929 May 21
Box 1, Folder 24 Pickersgill, O. H.
undated
Box 1, Folder 24 Public Ledger ( Philadelphia )
3.0 letters

1905 Mar 28 - 1905 May 23
Box 1, Folder 24 Public Library of Cincinnati
Contents Note: Regarding printing; routine book business; John Dunlap.

1916 Jun 17
Box 1, Folder 24 Publisher's Weekly
Contents Note: Included is December 14, 1907 issue of Publisher's Weekly.

1907 Nov 18
Box 1, Folder 25 Rockefeller, George C.
1953 Apr 25
Box 1, Folder 25 Rockefeller, George C.
1954 Jan 8
Box 1, Folder 25 Roden, Robert F.
3.0 letters

1902 Jan 4 - 1903 Apr 3
Box 1, Folder 25 Sargent, Scott
2.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding bibliography; early American printing and poetry; Jupiter Hammon; routine book business.

1905 Jun 17 - 1916 Jan 17
Box 1, Folder 25 Sinclair, Donald A.
1951 Sep 27
Box 1, Folder 25 Sinclair, Donald A.
1951 Jan 3
Box 1, Folder 25 Sinclair, Donald A.
1951 Oct 4
Box 1, Folder 25 Sinclair, Donald A.
1951 Nov 7
Box 1, Folder 25 Sinclair, Donald A.
1951 Nov 27
Box 1, Folder 25 Sinclair, Donald A.
1951 Dec 26
Box 1, Folder 25 Skinner, John
1952 Aug 8
Box 1, Folder 25 Skinner, John
1952 Sep 14
Box 1, Folder 25 Streeter, Thomas W.
1953 Jan 22
Box 1, Folder 25 Swann, Arthur
1947 Aug 4
Box 1, Folder 26 Taylor, Douglas
6.0 letters

1900 Apr 3 - 1919 Jun 2
Box 1, Folder 26 Thomas, Charles R.
Contents Note: Regarding indexing offer; printing bills; William G. Simms.

1910 Feb 21
Box 1, Folder 26 Turnbull, Dorothy
1951 Dec 2
Box 1, Folder 26 Turnbull, Dorothy
1952 Oct 23
Box 1, Folder 27 University of Oklahoma
Contents Note: Regarding possible acceptance of Wegelin's book collection.

1938 Nov 29
Box 1, Folder 27 University of Pennsylvania
3.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding bibliographic notes.

1915 Jun 19 - 1924 Jan 17
Box 1, Folder 28 Van Hoesen, H. B.
1930 Jul 2 - 1942 Mar 31
Box 1, Folder 28 Vassar College Library
Contents Note: Regarding routine book business.

1905 Mar 28
Box 1, Folder 28 Wall, Alexander J.
1953 May 22
Box 1, Folder 28 Wall, Alexander J.
1952 Jun 3
Box 2, Folder 1 Wegelin, Oscar
6.0 letters

Contents Note: To Harris Collection; Miss Litchfield; David Jonah; Professor Damon; unknown Regarding routine book business; change of address.

undated
Box 2, Folder 2 Wegelin, Oscar
4.0 letters

Contents Note: To Harry Lyman Koopman. Regarding bibliography and routine book business.

1900 Dec 3 - 1902 Mar 29
Box 2, Folder 3 Wegelin, Oscar
6.0 letters

Contents Note: To Harry Lyman Koopman; Helen C. Webster. Regarding bibliography; routine book business; discusses with Webster, "The Toilet", book of poems, to which is attached a typescript history of "The Toilet."

1902 May 10 - 1914 Feb 2
Box 2, Folder 4 Wegelin, Oscar
6.0 letters

Contents Note: To Harry Lyman Koopman; William H. P. Faunce. Regarding routine book business; Wegelin requests vacant librarian position in letter to Faunce.

1914 Mar 5 - 1915 Dec 31
Box 2, Folder 5 Wegelin, Oscar
5.0 letters

Contents Note: To Harry Lyman Koopman. Regarding routine book business.

1916 Jun 26 - 1917 Jun 2
Box 2, Folder 6 Wegelin, Oscar
5.0 letters

Contents Note: To Harry Lyman Koopman; Purchasing Department, Brown University. Regarding routine book business.

1917 Jul 14 -1919 Mar 13
Box 2, Folder 7 Wegelin, Oscar
5.0 letters

Contents Note: To Harry Lyman Koopman. Regarding routine book business.

1919 Dec 5 - 1922 Jun 22
Box 2, Folder 8 Wegelin, Oscar
3.0 letters

Contents Note: To Harry Lyman Koopman. Regarding routine book business.

1922 Nov 15 -1922 Nov 23
Box 2, Folder 9 Wegelin., O.
5.0 letters

Contents Note: To Harry Lyman Koopman; Brown university Library. Regarding routine book business.

1923 Jul 17 - 1925 Jan 19
Box 2, Folder 10 Wegelin, Oscar
5.0 letters

Contents Note: To F. K. W. Drury of Brown University Library; Brown University Library; Hope B. Litchfield of Brown University Library. Regarding routine book business.

1925 Feb 13 - 1925 Mar 30
Box 2, Folder 11 Wegelin, Oscar
5.0 letters

Contents Note: To Hope P. Litchfield of Brown University Library; Brown University Library. Regarding routine book business.

1925 Apr 17 - 1925 May 25
Box 2, Folder 12 Wegelin, Oscar
5.0 letters

Contents Note: To Harry Lyman Koopman; Treasure of Brown University Library, Regarding routine book business.

1925 Oct 1 - 1930 May 1
Box 2, Folder 13 Wegelin, Oscar
3.0 letters

Contents Note: To H.B. Van Hoesen; S. Foster Damon. Regarding routine book business.

1931 Apr 22 - 1933 Jan 25
Box 2, Folder 14 Wegelin, Oscar
6.0 letters

Contents Note: To S. Foster Damon; Mr. Zorn; H. B. Van Hoesen; Benjamin C. Clough of Brown University Library. Regarding routine book business; bibliography.

1933 Jan 27 -1937 Jan 13
Box 2, Folder 14a Wegelin, Oscar
1951 Sep 20 - 1951 Dec 26
Box 2, Folder 14b Wegelin, Oscar
1952 Jan 8 - 1952 Dec 17
Box 2, Folder 14c Wegelin, Oscar
1953 Jan 20 - 1953 May 26
Box 2, Folder 14d Wegelin, Oscar
1954 Jan 6 - 1954 Jan 12
Box 2, Folder 15 Wegelin, Oscar
5.0 letters

Contents Note: To David Jonah. Regarding routine book business; donations to Brown University.

1964 Dec 14 - 1965 Apr 14
Box 2, Folder 16 Wegelin, Oscar
5.0 letters

Contents Note: To David Jonah.

1965 Apr 29 - Jul 14
Box 2, Folder 17 Wegelin, Oscar
5.0 letters

Contents Note: To David Jonah. Regarding routine library business; donations to Brown University.

1965 Aug 4 - 1966 Jun 21
Box 2, Folder 18 Wegelin, Oscar
4.0 letters

Contents Note: To David Jonah. Regarding routine book business.

1966 Jul 23 - 1966 Dec 4
Box 2, Folder 19 Wesen, Ernest J.
5.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding routine book business; Lincolniana.

1938 Jul 30 - 1954 Mar 8
Box 2, Folder 20 Whitty, J. H.
1906 Nov 19
Box 2, Folder 20 Wisconsin Free Library Commission
3.0 letters

1904 May 25 - 1905 Nov 24
Box 2, Folder 20 Wright, Lyle H.
1953 Mar 20
Box 2, Folder 20 Wright, Lyle H.
1953 Mar 30
Box 2, Folder 20 Wright, Lyle H.
1953 Apr 16
Box 2, Folder 20 Wright, Lyle H.
1953 May 7
Box 2, Folder 20 Yale University Library
3.0 letters

Contents Note: Regarding bibliographic queries; Wisconsin poets and imprints; routine book business; William Dunlap; William G. Simms.

1916 Dec 26 - 1932 Dec 24

Series 2. Manuscript material by Oscar Wegelin
1.0 box(es)

Container Description Date
Box 2, Folder 21 - 24 Bibliographical notes
Contents Note: Title-page descriptions and printing information of early American plays.

undated
Box 2, Folder 25 Prose Manusripts: A- First
Contents Note: "The First American Epic (A Forgotten Book)"

undated
Box 2, Folder 26 Prose manuscrips: Foreword
Contents Note: "Foreword" to "The Letter of a '49er." Copied by Mrs. Oscar Wegelin.

undated
Box 2, Folder 27 Prose manuscrips: From - Q
Contents Note: "From the appearence in print of....".

undated
Box 2, Folder 28 Prose manuscripts: R - V
Contents Note: "The River Monster, A Tale of the Mississippi."

undated
Box 2, Folder 29 Prose manuscripts: W-Z
Contents Note: "What's in a Name?" and "When was the art of printing introduced into the province of Maryland?"

undated
Box 2, Folder 30 Poetry manuscripts: A - C
Contents Note: "Arthur B. Carlson: 1889 - 1965." and "The Bookmen of Nassau."

undated
Box 2, Folder 31 Poetry manuscrips: D
Contents Note: "The Dutchman's Tale."

undated
Box 2, Folder 32 Poetry manuscripts: E - L
Contents Note:
  • "Each to Another's Language">
  • "Elizabeth J. Wendell"
  • "Fishin' pals"
  • ">Law Observors"


undated
Box 2, Folder 33 Poetry manuscrips: M - N
Contents Note:
  • "Man's Best Friends"
  • "Mendoza's Old Book Store"
  • "My Boys"


undated
Box 2, Folder 34 Poetry manuscrips: O - Ta
Contents Note:
  • "Ode to the Forensic Club"
  • "The Old Book Man's Lament"
  • "The poets of 'The World' are good...."
  • "Take me back to dear Old Dixie...."
  • "Take me back to Dixie...."


undated
Box 2, Folder 35 Poetry manuscrips: To
Contents Note:
  • "To Arthur B. Carlson at the Three Score"
  • "to Arthur B. Carlson Upon the 60th Anniversary of his Birth"
  • "To Oscar Wegelin"


undated
Box 2, Folder 36 Prose manuscripts: To
Contents Note:
  • "To Susan E. Lyman"
  • "To Vincent Portonova"
  • "Vincent Portonova"


undated
Box 2, Folder 37 Poetry manuscripts: Tw - We
Contents Note:
  • "Two Guys"
  • "We call it 'Justice'"
  • "A Welcome"


undated
Box 2, Folder 38 Poetry manuscrips: Wh - Z
Contents Note:
  • "When Mother Folds her hands in Prayer...."
  • "Where I Have Dwelt"
  • "Willie Gee"


undated
Box 2, Folder 39 Play manuscripts: A - C
Contents Note: "Captain Kidd"

undated
Box 2, Folder 40 Play manuscripts: D - L
Contents Note: "Ladies and Gentlemen, the management Begs us to Announce"

undated
Box 2, Folder 41 Play manuscrips: M - R
Contents Note: "Mr. Johnsing, Am yo married?..." and ">An Old man's Sweetheart."

undated
Box 2, Folder 42 Play manuscrips: S
Contents Note: "A Secret Rehearsal."

undated
Box 2, Folder 43 Play manuscripts: S
Contents Note: A Secret Rehearsal

undated
Box 2, Folder 44 Play manuscrips: S
Contents Note: "Some Rehearsals."

undated
Box 2, Folder 45 Play manuscrips: W - Z
Contents Note: "The Two Rays."

undated
Box 2, Folder 46 Play manuscripts: W - Z
Contents Note: "Watch Me Cure Him."

undated
Box 2, Folder 47 Miscellaneous manuscripts
Contents Note: Miscellaneous notes, bibliographic and poetic. Includes "List of catalogues, N.Y. Historical Society, on hand and missing here."

undated

Series 3. Miscellaneous manuscript material, 1915-1939
6.0 folder(s)

Container Description Date
Box 3, Folder 1 Miscellaneous manuscript material not authored by Oscar Wegelin
Contents Note: Items not by Wegelin but copied by him or items by other writers, including Charles Richard Williams, Micah Hawkins, and Gabriel Furman.

undated
Box 3, Folder 2 - 5 Receipts
Contents Note: Receipts for Book orders or purchases of manuscripts to and from Brown University, Douglas Taylor & Co., Oscar Wegelin, and Adele Wegelin.

undated
Box 3, Folder 6 Letters not to or by Wegelin
Contents Note:
  • American Art Association to Brown University, 1925 Mar 26
  • Faunce, William H. P., to Koopman, Harry Lyman, 1915 Feb 16
  • Van Hoesen, H. B., to Wegelin, Adele, 1939 Nov 15 - 1942 Mar 31. Regarding routine book business; Wegelin's possible position as librarian at Brown University.


1915-1939

Series 4. Printed material
7.0 folder(s)

Container Description Date
Box 3, Folder 7 Play programs
Contents Note: Play programs in which Wegelin is credited as actor or playwright.

undated
Box 3, Folder 8 Obituaries
Contents Note: Obituaries by Wegelin of William Courtenay, John Malone, Harry Lyman Koopman, Daniel Parish, Jr., Francis Perego Harper, Evert Jansen Wendell, and S. Miller Hageman.

undated
Box 3, Folder 9 Article
Contents Note: "An Interesting Discovery" by Oscar Wegelin, in "The New York Dramatic Mirror", May 1, 1909; also printed notices from Wegelin's bookshop.

undated
Box 3, Folder 10 Poetry clippings
Contents Note: Includes "Willie Gee", "The Fanatic's Prayer", "A Stay at Home", "Easter, A. D 1918", and "My Closest Friends."

undated
Box 3, Folder 11 Book reviews
Contents Note: Reviews of Early American Plays 1714 - 1830 and the Simms bibliography; catalog offering Wegelin's Jupiter Hammon for sale.

undated
Box 3, Folder 12 Printed material not concerning Oscar Wegelin
Contents Note: Items by or about Douglas Taylor, Alfred Goldsmith, Isaac Mendoza Book Shop, and Walter Littlefield.

undated
Box 3, Folder 13 Prints and photostats not concerning Oscar Wegelin
Contents Note: Title pages of plays and photographs and drawings of Edward S. Courtenay, Wiliam A. Courtenay, and Micah Hawkins.

undated